Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Ceann Comhairle) | Oireachtas source

It is superb that the House has responded positively to the request from the Oireachtas women's caucus to have this debate to mark International Women's Day and to acknowledge the fact that we have our second Oireachtas women's caucus, it having been initially established with the driving force of the Minister, Deputy Catherine Martin. I commend those who have participated in the debate. It has been interesting, challenging and, at times, profound. As the Leas-Cheann Comhairle said and as Deputy Bríd Smith challenged, notwithstanding that, I hope to be in a position, on behalf of Members of the Thirty-third Dáil, to announce an initiative in the next week or two that would demonstrate practical moves this Dáil can take to ensure that in the future we have far more women present in the Dáil and Seanad and a more family-friendly and inclusive - and I mean "inclusive" in all its manifestations - Parliament. That is something I am determined we should do.

The Leas-Cheann Comhairle has been paid tribute to in the course of this debate and rightly so. As someone in my last term in this office, I look forward to being able to vote for a female candidate to occupy this Chair on a full-time basis come the next election. I just hope the Leas-Cheann Comhairle does not want me to go beforehand.

Go raibh míle maith agaibh. Leis sin tá gnó na seachtaine tagtha chun deiridh. Tá an Dáil ar athló go dtí an 10 Márta seo chugainn ag 10 a.m.

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